Clinical response to probiotic supplementation in patients with osteoarthritis

Abstract

Background: Amelioration of pain and symptoms in osteoarthritis (OA) is a challenge owing to potential side effects of current medications and need of its long-term use. Probiotic supplementation has a promising profile on immunomodulation, reduction in inflammation, and beneficial effect on bone metabolism. Aims and Objectives: The study aimed to determine the effect of probiotic supplementation in OA patients. Materials and Methods: This hospital-based intervention was conducted among 58 patients with OA-knee for a period from June 2021 to August 2021, who were randomized into control and interventional groups and who were asked to consume conventional curd and probiotic curd, respectively. However, data analysis was limited to 25 and 27 participants in the control and interventional groups, respectively, after 8 weeks, owing to dropouts. Anthropometric measurements, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA Index (WOMAC), visual analog scale (VAS) scores, and high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP levels) were obtained at the beginning and end of the study period. Results: After 8 weeks of intervention, there was a significant improvement in WOMAC and VAS scores in the interventional group as compared to the control groups. Furthermore, hs-CRP levels were significantly reduced in interventional group than the control group. Conclusion: Probiotics supplementation has the potential as a disease-modifying therapeutic agent in clinical management of OA knee patients, by improving WOMAC scores and VAS scores and reducing hs-CRP levels.